The Music Producers Guild has revealed the shortlist for its 2026 MPG Awards, taking place on Thursday 16th April 2026 at The Troxy in London.
Now in their 18th year, the MPG Awards celebrate the very best of British production talent working behind the scenes in the UK music industry, alongside key international collaborators.
Following another strong year of submissions, MPG members have voted to shortlist their peers across production, engineering, studio and artist categories, reflecting the depth and diversity of UK music production.
The Producer of the Year shortlist features Zach Nahome, James Ford, Catherine Marks, Miles Clinton James and Steph Marziano. Five producers whose work this year has spanned acclaimed alternative releases, global pop campaigns and forward-thinking independent records.
The Breakthrough Producer of the Year nominees are Jonathan Gilmore, Oli Barton-Wood and Richie Kennedy, while the Breakthrough Engineer of the Year shortlist comprises Evie Clark-Yospa, Rookes and Freddy Williams, all representing the next generation of technical excellence.
Studio categories once again highlight the importance of recording spaces across the UK, with Strongroom, Decoy, and Rockfield nominated for Large Commercial Studio, and Baltic Studios and Snap! nominated for Small Commercial Studio. Studios and ARC Abbey Recording Studios shortlisted for Small Commercial Studio.
The Self-Producing Artist of the Year nominees include Disclosure (Guy Lawrence and Howard Lawrence), who continue to redefine the UK dance scene, Barry Can't Swim (Joshua Spence Mainnie), who has emerged as one of the most exciting names in contemporary electronic music and Maribou State (Chris Davids and Liam Ivory) who are recognised for their textured, immersive productions.
In the Album of the Year category, three distinctive releases are shortlisted. Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, Biffy Clyro’s Futique and Sam Fender’s People Watching.
The MPG has also announced Jon Thornton, head of sound technology at LIPA, as the winner of their gifted Special Recognition Award.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked when I was told about the award,” commented Thornton. “It’s incredibly flattering, although I’ll admit I felt a touch of imposter syndrome. But really, this isn’t about me; it’s about the team. It’s about the institution, the students, the graduates and the staff. That’s where success truly lies, and that’s what we’re celebrating.”
The Full 2026 Shortlist
Producer Of The Year, sponsored by Flare Audio
Zach Nahome
James Ford
Catherine Marks
Miles Clinton James
Steph Marziano
Breakthrough Producer Of The Year
Jonathan Gilmore
Oli Barton-Wood
Richie Kennedy
Breakthrough Engineer Of The Year
Evie Clark-Yospa
Rookes
Freddy Williams
Mastering Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by dCS Audio
Natalie Bibby
Matt Colton
Mix Engineer Of The Year
Matt Wiggins
Charlie Holmes
Oli Jacobs
Atmos Mixer Of The Year, sponsored by Dolby Atmos
Andrew Scheps
Mike Hillier
Kurt Martinez
Large Commercial Studio, sponsored by Neumann
Strongroom
Decoy
Rockfield
Small Commercial Studio, sponsored by Neumann
Baltic Studios
Snap! Studios
ARC Abbey Recording Studios
Recording Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by Neve
Ricky Damian
Ramera Abraham
Self-Producing Artist Of The Year, sponsored by PRS for Music
Disclosure - Guy Lawrence; Howard Lawrence
Barry Can’t Swim - Joshua Spence Mainnie
Maribou State - Chris Davids, Liam Ivory
Unsung Hero, sponsored by Musicians’ Union
Barry Grint
Mick Ross (Generator)
Writer-Producer Of The Year, sponsored by SESAC
Steph Marziano
Max Wolfgang
Album Of The Year
Olivia Dean: The Art of Loving
Producer: Zach Nahome
Engineer: Zach Nahome
Mixer: Charlie Holmes
Mastering: Simon Francis
Biffy Clyro: Futique
Producer: Biffy Clyro, Jonathan Gilmore
Engineer: Freddy Williams
Mixer: Jonathan Gilmore
Sam Fender: People Watching
Producer: Sam Fender, Markus Dravs, Dean Thompson, Joe Atkinson:
Engineer: Iain Berryman, Oli Jacobs
Mixer Craig Silvey, Dani Bennett Spragg
Original Score Recording Of The Year
Young Fathers: 28 Years Later (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
Producer Young Fathers, Rosie Danvers, Tommy Danvers
Engineer. Jake Jackson
Mixer: James Trevascus
Stephen Gallagher: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Producer: Mark Willsher, Stephen Gallagher
Engineer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley,
Mixer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley,
Brandon Roberts: Andor: Season 2 Vol. 1-4 (Episodes 1-12) [Original Score]
Producer: Brandon Roberts
Engineer: Geoff Foster
Mixer: Geoff Foster
The MPG Awards 2026 is supported by sponsors including Dolby, Mix With The Masters, PPL, PRS for Music, Audio Note, Neve, Neumann, Flare Audio, SESAC, the Musicians’ Union, FSK Audio (Reception Drinks Sponsor), and Beyerdynamic (After Party Sponsor).
Olivia Dean image credit: Jack Davison